We Are Spartacus

You do not need to be a movie star to stand up for basic human freedom.

When you reach 95, after you get over your surprise, you start looking back. I've been thinking a lot about my parents, Russian immigrants who came to this country in 1912 – exactly one hundred years ago.

For them, the United States was a dream beyond description. They couldn't read or write, but they saw a better life for their children in a new country half a world away from their tiny shtetl.

Against all odds they crossed the Atlantic. And like millions of people before and after, they passed close to the Statue of Liberty as they entered New York Harbor. Perhaps someone who could read English translated the beautiful words of Emma Lazarus, etched in bronze on the pedestal:

What would my parents think about America if they arrived here today? Would they even want to come? I wonder.

A century ago, America was a beacon of hope to the world. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were ideals not clichés. Any boy could still grow up to be president. Today, few boys–or girls, for that matter–dream of that. The American dream has become about quick fame and easy fortune, not public service and hard work.

I know something about this. I have been an actor for most of my life. When I started out, I didn't think about anything except what was good for me. Like many movie stars, I became all wrapped up in myself. When I threw off the wrappings, I wrapped myself in the character I was playing.

My change came suddenly when I heard these words spoken by President Kennedy in his Inaugural Address in 1961:

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

It was a moment of clarity for me – like somebody had flipped a switch and the lights came on.

I had been lucky. Fame is as much about luck as it is about talent, perhaps more. My luck hadn't come without a lot of hard work, but I now realized that it carried a responsibility along with it. JFK's call to conscience made me understand that.

His words also reminded me of something my mother taught me.

For years we lived in a little town called Amsterdam, New York. We had a house near the carpet mills and the railroad tracks. We were very poor and often didn't have enough to eat. Although we had nothing to spare, the hobos from the trains still came knocking on our door in the evening, asking for food. It scared me to look at them–disheveled, dirty. My mother was never frightened. Somehow she always found a little extra food to give them.

Then she said something I never forgot: "Issur,"–that was my name then–"even a beggar must give to another beggar who needs it more than he does."

The fight against oppression and tyranny depicted in Spartacus is still going on all over the globe from Syria to Egypt to Iran.

I was an American movie star whose pictures were seen all around the world. This gave me the opportunity to do something for my country that most Americans couldn't do. So I became an Ambassador of Goodwill for the State Department and traveled to 40 countries talking about America. I wasn't viewed as a Democrat or a Republican. They only saw me as an American. By the way, I paid all my own expenses–I didn't want anyone to say that Kirk Douglas traveled abroad on the taxpayers' dime.

But you do not need to be a movie star to stand up for basic human freedom. The fight against oppression and tyranny depicted in Spartacus is still going on all over the globe from Syria to Egypt to Iran. Even the Russians are once again facing the threat of a popular uprising.

I believe much of the divisiveness in the world is caused by religious fanaticism, even in the time of Spartacus when they worshipped many gods. As you study history, you find that millions of people have been killed because of religious divisions based on false orthodoxy, not genuine spirituality.

After 95 years on this planet, I have come to the conclusion that the human spirit can never be crushed, no matter how cruel the oppressor or fanatic the belief. If we remember that simple truth–and act on it every day in small ways and sometimes in large movements–then freedom will ultimately win.

About the Author

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Visitor Comments: 13

(9)
Ken Blacketer,
June 20, 2012 7:05 AM

Thank you

Mr. Douglas,
You seem to have chosen inspiring characters and for that I thank you. "Lonely Are The Brave", "Cast A Giant Shadow" "Spartacus",,,these and more have inspired and assisted me at times.
Blessings,

(8)
Anat,
June 19, 2012 7:55 PM

Thank you for being so real at 95 May He who sees Bless you

Thank you Kirk, your a Mensch Thank you for your saying hello to your audience again.

(7)
geesam,
June 19, 2012 6:58 PM

But we're sending Blacks home

But what we Jews are doing to Blacks in Israel factually contradicts this story.

(6)
Tom,
June 19, 2012 6:13 PM

Spartacus

Mr. Douglas,
I appreciated your comments; and I think that the hundreds of millions of souls lost by government extremists (Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, [only 4 men, in the 20th century alone]) far outweigh the numbers posted by religious extremists. The media will always bang the drum against religion; seldom will they hold governments to the same standard of accountability.
You're a fine actor, Mr. Douglas, and I admire your passion for America! I also greatly appreciate the lesson you learned from your mother, about sharing what you with others less fortunate. What I disagree with is government taking our loaves to fatten themselves, while giving the leftovers to beggars, and calling it "compassion" and "love for our neighbors." I was just a young boy when Kennedy asked us to serve our country. Perhaps, he might have better said, " . . .ask what you can do for yourself, and your neighbors."
Mr. Douglas, religious extremism seems to come and go, depending on the popularity of the cause with national media; but, I believe that history has shown that after governments wipe out religious extremists, they turn their sights on the rest of the religious community, this one included.

(5)
Gary Katz,
June 19, 2012 3:33 PM

Hit the nail on the head

Great points, Mr. Douglas! Your 95 years of accumulated wisdom are evident! May you acquire many more years - we love having you among us!

(4)
Jacenty Domanski,
June 19, 2012 3:25 PM

Today real threat and regime.

But today in whole world, the most terrorist and dengerous regime is not Russia, not Egypt, not Syria not Venezuela but USA.

Tzimmes,
June 19, 2012 6:54 PM

Wrong and delusionaly paranoid.

Fanatical Islam is your manm God bless America

nancy,
June 20, 2012 12:40 AM

Shame on you!

The only reason the USA has become dangerous, is because we have allowed nefarious people to cross our borders. Perhaps we should keep those hateful people out to protect our country.

Joy,
June 20, 2012 6:42 AM

WRONG-O!!

I sincerely hope, Mr. Domanski, that you do NOT live in the USA - but in some other much more "enlightened" part of the world, far from the tyranny, "terrorism" and "danger" that is the USA! You certainly are one confused individual...

(3)
Capt Gene Leone (Ret) USAR/USAF,
June 19, 2012 2:17 PM

Thank you Mr. Douglas!

Sir,
As a second generation American whose family also came here from Eastern Europe, I couldn't agree more with your comments. Sadly, however, my mother's side of the family, European gypsies, were also members of the communist party USA and despised America's values their whole life. My Grandparents, on the other hand, came here from Italy and like your family, loved America. My mother's parents spat on me when I enlisted and my Grandparents applauded me. I dedicated my life long ago in defense of the Republic and Freedom. Sadly, since I was a boy, the transformation that has taken place here makes me think that if the Founding Fathers had seen where we as a nation were going, George Washington would have fought for the British and benedict arnold (lower case intentional) would have been an honored war hero. With kindest regards,
Gene
PS: I still love all your movies! You are an American Hero! You were certainly one of my heroes growing up!

Lisa,
June 19, 2012 5:53 PM

Thank you!

Sir, first off, thank you so much for your service to this great country. Also, I find it truly sad that you had to put up with such nonsense. It is such a shame that there are people that have it so good, yet they choose to see only bad. I'm so thankful to be able to live freely in America. There are millions of others that wish they could say the same.

(2)
Henry Goodelman,
June 19, 2012 9:34 AM

This is Sparta! Let People Help!

Mr. Douglas! Thank you! I could not agree more with your point that far too few people in the world today, but the problem is that those people that are committed to helping or that want to commit to help are far too often never given the opportunity to do so.
An Aish HaTorah student and community member, my career and focused on supporting the academic achievement and all-around success of college students has led me to a point where I can even further recognize and agree with your point that giving back, creating opportunities and shouldering the responsibility of helping me discover their freedom.

(1)
Rinna,
June 18, 2012 6:04 PM

I have been lucky enough to meet Kirk Douglas and been in the Press line at his Tribute dinner back in 2001. I have meet him several times now and I have read all of his books! I am looking forward to reading his next book, "I am Spartacus! Making a Film Breaking the Blacklist." I would love to meet him again. May Hasham keep you safe and healthy for many more year to come, Mr. Douglas!

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

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